Snow Days 2014 - Unto One of the Least of These

Matthew 25:34-40

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink:I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

On January 28, 2014 a snow/ice hit our state of Alabama. We were not prepared for this event. I listened, and read, as many people blamed meteorologists and television stations. I saw ugliness come out of people as they took advantage of those stranded. I heard reports of business turning people out if they didn't purchase anything from their stores. I don't know the truth of many of these stories, but there is some truth I can tell you about, because I saw it with my own eyes. 

I saw 4x4's on all kinds of dangerous roads helping people stuck in the ice. I saw people shuttling folks back and forth to our schools because they couldn't drive on the roads to the school. I saw principals, vice principals, teachers, office staff, lunch workers, custodians, bus drivers and parents take care of their children and other children that they have never known. 

I watched as people would reach out to total strangers in their greatest sorrows. I had the joy in participating in all of these stories. I saw people, many Christians, rise up and continue to be the body of Christ again. And I would like to say THANK YOU!  Thank you for reaching out and feeding! Thank you for reaching out and clothing!  Thank you for reaching out and treating a sick person!  THANK YOU for being the very image and person of Jesus Christ. 

Many choose to complain, many choose to be the negative, many choose to blame it on someone else... But Some! Some CHOOSE to be Christlike in the storm.  

"Be Like Mike"

2 Chronicles 30:7-8

And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the Lord God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see. Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever:and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.

Remember the Gatorade commercial years ago about "Be Like Mike (Michael Jordan)"?  The children running down the road dribbling basketballs and singing "Like Mike, if I could be like Mike"? 

How many of us have said, "I will never be like that dad, or that mom". How many have said, "I can't believe that person would act like that!"?  Everyone of us are effected by the way others live.  It may have been a parent, sibling, friend, enemy, church member or co-worker. We see the way they live, wrong or right and we are effected.We become so concentrated on their wrongs that we could easily become the very thing we say we will never be. 

I've heard many say... "I'll never get a divorce", "I'll never do that to my child", "I'll never be like my dad or mom", "I'll never..." And we end up falling into the same struggles and sins. 

How about we say today, Lord help us to pray for our dads, moms, siblings, co-workers, church members and friends that are stiffnecked. Maybe would could say to our Lord, Help me not to be stiffnecked. Help me be submissive unto you Lord. Help me not to be like others who trespassed against you, but help me break those chains. Lord, help me not become the very ones that I feel are in the wrong, but help me Lord be like YOU and YOU ALONE. 

Thank you Lord for the dads and moms that were not stiffnecked. Thank you for those today who I can look to and learn how we must walk with you everyday. Thank you for those who have surrendered their lives totally unto you.  Thank you for Christ, who is the only one who lived a sinless life. Who is the only one who can teach us how to be Holy because He is Holy!  

Thank you to Mike for showing us how to play basketball. Thank you Christ Jesus for showing me how to live in Grace, Peace, Love, Holiness, Honesty, etc...  

Sing it with me... "Like Christ, if I could be like Christ!"

Our Longsuffering God!

Psalms 86:15

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious,

longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

2 Peter 3:15

And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

Longsuffering - "Having or showing patience (through love) in spite of troubles (sin) caused by others". 

The Bible teaches us of the longsuffering of God. He is so patient with us. He was patient while we were lost in our sins. In Genesis it shows he was longsuffering while Noah built the ark. In Psalms he was longsuffering with a King who committed adultery. 

Notice that the words which accompany longsuffering are: full of compassion, gracious, mercy, truth, and even salvation. Being longsuffering cannot be mixed with words such as: unwilling, hatred, spite, unmerciful or unloving. 

Although we are unlovable, God is longsuffering and loves us. Although we are unmerciful to others, God is longsuffering and merciful to us. Although we are unwilling to work with those who totally disregard God, He is longsuffering and willing to work in and through us. 

My Lord knows that I myself need daily help with this area of my life. Preachers! People of God! We are told to be longsuffering. Lord, I pray that you help us to be longsuffering.

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Ephesians 4:2

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Colossians 1:11

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Colossians 3:12

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

1 Timothy 1:16

Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Stop Staring At Me

Matthew 7:20

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

"He's looking at me!, She's staring at me!, STOP LOOKING AT ME!"  I hear this on a daily basis. From elementary students who are just picking at other students to high school students mad because the little ones are watching them and their every movement. 

We are built to view things. We are fashioned to be people of sight. Although not all people have this physical ability, they still are told about their surroundings by others who can see so they can function. (Example: There is a chair on your left side and then a couch so that you may sit down). You see, we all function on what we see or what we are told is there.  We know an apple tree by its fruit, or an orange tree by the oranges hanging from the limbs. Children are able to walk up to a banana tree and tell you what type of tree it is if there is fruit hanging from the branches. 

God is a wonderful God who can look upon the heart of men and women. This is something that we will never be able to do. But God has given us our sight. Sight, in order to see fruit. In order to tell what kind of tree that we are dealing with. Sight, to see if the fruit is ripe or rotten. God has given us the ability to look upon these trees and judge for ourselves. (Not judgement to chop down the tree, but judgment to tell if the fruit is good. And always remember, the judgement you evaluate other fruit by will be the same judgement you should evaluate your fruit by which should be the Words of God and not what you think)

So the next time you see someone looking or staring at you, what are you showing them?  Are you yelling, "Stop staring at me!"?  Or are you as Peter in Acts 3:4 who says, "Look upon us...!"  

If an unbeliever were to look upon you today, what kind of fruit would they find?  Righteous or rotten? Bananas or bacteria? Grapes or grossness? 

They're staring at you!

Favor with God

Hebrews 12:6

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

I know what you are thinking... What does that scripture have to do with favor of God?  Well, it has everything to do with it. 

I hear so many Christians today talking about obtaining the favor of God. "God has done this for me..."  "God has given me what I wanted, so I have obtained favor with God". "god favors my football team more than yours because we won". While some of these statements (with the exception of that last one) are true and worthy no doubt of praising God for His provisions and blessings, there is a big problem with this kind of teaching. If we only tell people that we have favor with God while He is giving us exactly what we want then what happens when God says no?  

He told Paul no in his pleading of the thorn. He told Jesus no in the garden of Gethsemene. Sometimes our Father's answer is no and if we teach that God only favors us when we are getting what we want then how is our disappointment when God delays in His answering? (Cause it all depends upon His time). What do we say to people that are saved, born-again, blood-bought children of God who suffer?  What about the couple who is praying for a child that hasn't yet came? What do we tell the mother who lost her son in an automobile accident?  What scripture do we preach to the parents whose children are being rebellious? Maybe we should tell them that God doesn't favor them. Sound good? But that would be wrong!

You see in good times our God favors you who are obedient to the word. In bad times God favors you who hold on to His words. Before you ever surrendered to Him, he favored you enough to send His only Son, Jesus, to die for you. 

Never forget!  He loves you and favors you. That's why He whips you in shape through holy discipline. That's why He holds you in your hurting. That's why He loved you and favored you before you ever loved and favored Him. 

Rejoice today because you have found favor with God!

Show It While You Sow It

Luke 8:1

And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God:and the twelve were with him,

In the chapter was the first passage of scripture that I ever preached. It is the message of the sower. It explains in detail what we are to sow and where we are to sow. What we sow, would be the Gospel of Jesus. Where we sow, would be everywhere. Ours is not to look at the soil and see if it's worthy or ready for the seed. Ours is just to sow the seed. 

When reading over this scripture 20 years later I noticed something great in the beginning. Why did God want the people who were with Jesus on this day and time to be mentioned?  I believe for a greater message just as important to go along with the sower. It shows who Jesus sowed the Gospel to. 

The "twelve", a bunch of men that no one else wanted. Many if these men wouldn't have been picked to be on the local church committee much less to be some of the greatest preachers of the Gospel. 

Susanna, Joanna, and need I say, Mary Magdalene. Most people wouldn't even talk or look at these women, but not Jesus. He sowed the seed. 

Look at what our scripture shows us today. Jesus went into ever city and village, preaching and SHOWING. Many are preaching but few are showing. They are many very good at pointing out the soil but not pointing them to Jesus. 

I'm so thankful for a Savior who loves us by showing it on the cross of Calvary. Lord help me today to not just speak it but to show while I sow it. 

With Hand and Heart

Matthew 15:8

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Ephesians 2:8-10

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

This word of God teaches us that there is absolutely no way we could ever be saved if it were not for the amazing grace of God. There is no good deed or action you could have done or do to earn His salvation. It is a perfect gift of God. But something begin to happen. People began to say or speak their love for God but their actions (heart in motion) was far from what they were saying. 

I know that you've heard of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Well when asked to do this for his country, Meriwether Lewis sent William Clark word of this journey. He asked for his help and interest in coming along. William Clark sent word back to Meriwether Lewis... "My friend, I will join you with hand and heart". 

What if Clark never showed?  What would you think of his desire to join the expedition?  You see, God calls us to a great journey. One with beautiful sites and of terrible dangers. One with the highest mountains and the lowest valleys. But His promise is that He will always be there. 

Have you given God your heart today?  Then you must have given your hand also. If we are Christians then we serve as Christians. Our hand and heart will be given. In other words, our hearts (love) is given as well as our hand (actions-works) will follow. Notice that they "will follow". Works will never proceed salvation. But if we have given Jesus our hearts then our hand will be given also. 

Today, Lord Jesus, I join you with heart and hand!

Have I Told You Lately that I Love You?

John 15:9

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you:continue ye in my love.

Just the other day my wife left me a note on my iPad. It started with... "Have I told you lately that I love you?"  Now I know that my wife loves me. She made a promise to me in marriage. She's told me many times before that she loves me. In fact, she tells me everyday that she loves me. So why did she write a note like this?  

Probably because she is just like me. I love her with all of my heart and I tell her everyday, but sometimes and somedays I want her to really know how I feel. It's almost like I'm saying it again for the first time and I want her to understand how much I really do love her. 

When is the last time you've had that moment with your Savior Jesus?  He knows you love Him. He loves you, in fact He loved you even when you didn't love Him. But maybe today you just want to tell Him again. Tell Him like you've never told Him before. Maybe it's time to renew your love to Him. Seek revival!

Dear Lord, I love you !

On a Treasure Hunt

Psalms 119:16

I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil 

Where is your Bible right now?  On your night stand? In the back dash of you car?  On the shelf with all of the other books?  At church in your pew?  Or maybe you don't know where your Bible is.  The sad fact is that many Christians today treat their Bible this way.  But did you know that when you read your Bible it's like going on a treasure hunt?

When I was young, and even today, I loved to watch movies about finding a treasure or even being on a treasure hunt.  One of my favorite movies of today is "National Treasure".  In this movie they find clue after clue that eventually leads them to a room full of treasure.  The one that believes in the treasure is ridiculed all through the movie.  He is told that he believes in fairytales and fantasy.  But he never gives up, he searches and searches until finally he is rewarded.

The truth is that God's Word is like treasure.  David said after studying on it that it was like finding great spoil.  Another truth is that many Christians never find this treasure because when they are ridiculed for reading it they quit.  When the Word seems to get deeper and it takes time to really understand the meaning they say, "It's too hard".  Will you go on a treasure hunt with the Holy Spirit today?  Let Him be your guide to the greatest treasure you could ever find.

Are You Sitting Down? Perfect!

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Wake up today and share your heart!  Do we need a pulpit? Do we need an audience? Have we forgotten that God has already given us an audience and pulpit to share our heart from?  

God tells us to take the words which He will give us and place them in our hearts. In our hearts to be guarded safely and close. In our hearts, being the center of our lives. Putting things into our hearts means to put things into action. Just like our physical hearts pump blood to every part of the body, so shall the word of God be to our spiritual blood stream. It's vital for us to follow His words. 

When we have things in order, our hearts will be the pumping station to our children and grandchildren. Pumping life and love to them. Teach them diligently (having or showing care) to our children. When we sit, when we walk, when we lie down and when we rise we need to teach.  

See God has shared His heart, so we in turn share our heart. Are you sitting? Perfect! Walking? Awesome! Lying down or getting up? Great! That is a perfect opportunity to share your heart. 

At Least Their Honest

Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Honesty is the best policy right?  Always!  But the other day someone said, "At least their honest". It struck the wrong chord because it was concerning someone in sin and living contrary to what they profess. Honesty in realizing your sin or fault is one thing, but being open and honest (or ok with living in sin) is different. 

God desires us to live truthfully, honestly, just, pure, lovely, and of good reputation. We should be honest with God about our lives and who we are, He already knows. We should live honestly before all men and women. Being real with them in all things. This lifestyle brings peace to the believer.  ("and the God of peace shall be with you")

So honesty is the best policy, if done correctly.